Head coach Corey Fountain is set to begin his fifth year in Clinton, where he has returned the Red Devils to their status as a Class 3A powerhouse.
Fountain’s fifth season at Clinton is also the Red Devils’ 100th season of football. In its century of football, Clinton has won eight state championships, including six under legendary head coach Keith Richardson between 1972-87.
Clinton is coming off a 13-1 season, which included the Region 4-3A championship, a trip to the Class 3A Upper State Championship game – a 27-14 loss at Powdersville – and must find a way to replace 25 graduated seniors.
Those graduated in the Class of 2023 includes South Carolina Mr. Football Finalist Bryson James, an Anderson University signee who led the Red Devils’ vaunted rushing attack, which gained 5,048 yards on the ground. The Red Devils outscored their opponents by an average of 50-16.
Despite the losses on both sides of the ball, Fountain appeared confident at a preseason press conference.
“A lot of these guys have been in our program, which benefits us greatly,” Fountain said. “They understand the standard. They understand the offense and the defense. The coaches understand the standard, and they’ve been putting the work in with the players.”
Clinton will benefit from an influx of players from a junior varsity team that went undefeated in 2022.
Fountain also said the Red Devils’ offense could look different this year and has the ability to play into its strengths behind junior quarterback Tyshuwan Richardson, who spent time on the varsity roster last season but played mostly in mop-up duty.
Senior running back Jayden Robinson (1,125 yards, 15 TDs) was one of three 1,000-yard backs – along with James and Jishun Copeland (North Greenville) – last season. He gained 146 yards with a 77-yard touchdown run in a playoff win over Chapman that propelled the Red Devils to the Upper State championship game. Senior tight end Kadon Crawford (6-2, 180) had 13 catches for 252 yards and two touchdowns last season and will give Richardson a big target in the passing game.
Junior center Rion Gordon is the only returning starter on an unproven offensive line.
Senior defensive back Zay Johnson (6-2, 165) became an NCAA Division I prospect in 2022 and committed to Cincinnati over the offseason after receiving offers from Virginia, Liberty and Coastal Carolina, among others.
Linebacker/running back Kason Copeland also returns as a starter in the middle of the Red Devils’ defense along with linebacker Carson Glenn.
Looking ahead
Despite the roster losses, the question is whether anyone will be able to step up and challenge Clinton in Region 4.
The Red Devils are ranked No. 2 in the Lakelands Preseason Top 10.
Chester (7-5, 3-1) was expected to challenge for the region title a year ago. Clinton defeated the Cyclones 48-20 at Chester.
Woodruff (6-6, 2-2) has a new coach in former Byrnes offensive coordinator Brett Sloan, while Emerald (6-6, 1-3) and Union County (2-7, 0-4) are hoping to improve their fortunes in region play.
“I’m looking forward to the season, looking forward to the new names they’re going to be calling out on Friday nights,” Fountain said.